Are you in search of a new home? But do you know which system that house has, either sewerage or septic system?
The rural or suburban areas are probably mostly run on septic systems where centralized sewer systems are not available properly. On the other hand, urban areas are connected with sewer systems that serve the whole municipality.
But what is the difference between them, as both have a wastewater management system, which is best for modern homes?
In this blog post, we'll look forward to both systems and explore the significant differences both have.
What Is a Septic System?
A septic system is a decentralized wastewater treatment system which is located in rural areas. This system needs access to a centralized sewer system, so it operates differently from sewerage systems. But that method is generally preferable due to the low population.
How Does the Septic System Work?
A septic system is usually made of concrete, plastic, and fiberglass. It contains:
Septic tank
Bacterial action
Effluent
Drain field
Soil filtration
The septic tank is an underground watertight container. It typically holds the wastewater coming from households for the long run. After that, the solid particles sit down in the tank, and grease or other light particles float on the top. It forms a concept of scum (light things) and sludge (hard things).
After that, a natural process starts (bacterial action), which breaks down the sludge into small particles, which helps treat the wastewater partially.
Next, the liquid portion, named effluent, exits from the septic tank and flows through drain fields.
The drain field is the collection of pipes in the soil. The water that is coming from the drain field is entered into this soil. Through this soil, the water is further filtered, absorbed by the soil, and goes back into the ground. This is the whole process of septic tanks.
Pros And Cons of the Septic System
Here are some pros and cons of septic systems.
Pros of the Septic System:
Independence
Each property has its own septic system because of low access to a centralized sewer system.
Cost-Effectiveness
Each septic system is easily installed and maintained in rural areas, thus very cost-effective. It doesn't require any additional things, such as pipes and other materials, that cost a lot.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of septic tanks is lower because of the on-site cleaning process. It reduces the need for expansive sewer infrastructure.
Longer Lifespan
With regular maintenance and flow, septic tanks can go longer. It has provided reliable wastewater treatment for many years.
Lower Risk of Sewer Backups
As each property has its own septic system, there are fewer chances of failure or backups as compared to sewer systems.
Cons of Septic System:
Maintenance Requirements
One major drawback is that it requires regular maintenance. If not done correctly, it creates a clog and needs costly repairs.
Limited Capacity
Septic tank capacity matters for the property and the members it has. The inappropriate size of the septic tank leads to overwhelm the whole system.
Potential to Failure
Regular maintenance is the key to a septic system to work smoothly. If not done correctly or on time, it leads to potential failure that can harm the nearby ground.
Sensitive to Chemicals
Some specific household chemicals can disrupt the biological balance that is necessary for the system to work flawlessly.
Property Restrictions
Due to poor septic systems, people are less likely to buy or look forward to that property.
What Is a Sewerage System?
A sewer system is a collection of underground pipes that are designed to collect and transport wastewater from a house, offices, and others. Overall, waste flows through a pipe to each home and combines in a centralized sewer system for treatment facilities.
How Does The Sewerage System Work?
A sewer system is a centralized wastewater management system that consists of:
Sewer Pipes
An extensive network of underground pipes that are connected to everyone's homes, schools, businesses, and others flows through these pipes and is linked to a treatment facility. Manhole points are fitted inside the sewer pipes for workers to inspect and maintain the system where it's installed.
Pump Station
In some areas where the land could be better for water to flow the waste naturally, pump stations are used for this. These stations lift the wastewater at a higher lever, which helps the waste to move forward to the treatment plant. One other reason for this is that when gravity is not enough for wastewater to proceed further.
Treatment Plant
When all the wastewater enters the treatment plant, several methods are applied to remove contamination and pollutants. These methods include chemical, physical, and biological processes that help to process the wastewater smoothly.
Effluent Disposal
After the overall process, the cleaned water is disposed of in an environment such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. It's making sure that less effluent is released into the environment according to the regulatory standards.
Sludge Management
The sludge is usually complex during the wastewater treatment process, and particulars are kept separate in this method. This is because they need additional treatment and responsible disposal. It manages the sludges in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Maintenance Crews
The skilled personnel are responsible for regularly inspecting, repairing, and reinstalling sewer pipes, treatment facilities, and pump stations. This will ensure the proper and smooth functioning of a sewer system.
Pros And Cons of Sewerage System
Here are some pros and cons of sewer systems.
Pros of The Sewer System
Public Health Protection
The Sewer system transports wastewater from polluted areas, protecting public health from breathing in fresh air without infection.
Convenience And Hygiene
A centralized treatment system provides and ensures a convenient and hygienic-free system for urban areas.
Environmental Protection
The wastewater that's released into the environment is treated with proper precaution. It will help pollute the ecosystem less and run the sewer system effectively.
Supports Urban Development
Due to a well-ventilated system that's less affected by the environment and pollution-free. It contributes to the modern development of urban areas, which is a good sign of progress.
Water Reuse
The modern sewer system treats wastewater at a high level, where it can easily be reused for various purposes such as irrigation and industrial purposes.
Cons of The Sewer System
High Costs
Building, maintaining, and installing a sewer system can be challenging. It requires a significant amount of investment that can burden average communities.
Vulnerability To Damage
The Sewer system can be damaged due to heavy winds, floods, and other natural disasters. Due to this fact, it requires costly repairs and can be environmentally contaminated.
Energy Consumption
There is considerable energy consumption in treatment plants and pumping stations, which contributes to the environmental footprint of these facilities.
Potential For Pollution
Low maintenance, aging, and poor inspection can prevent pollution of sewer systems. An example is when untreated waste is accidentally released into the natural water and pollutes the environment.
Limited Access To Rural Areas
Access to sewer systems is feasible in many rural areas because of the low population.
So, What Is The Difference Between Both? The difference between the two is that one is dependent, and the other is not, regarding its infrastructure and working system. But both serve the same purpose: treating the ecosystem in the best possible condition and less environmentally polluted.
Conclusion
The difference between both systems is clear now. Whether you're in rural or urban areas, the systems are defined. If you have any issue related to your septic or sewerage system, Barnes Septic And Sewer is here to grant you complete services for your system. Trust us; we're experienced experts with an excellent online reputation.